LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON. IX 



described, to those of ScJiima aud some Gordonias. The uni ovu- 

 late cells of the ovary are peculiar in the order, as also the very 

 remarkable structure of the pericarp, consisting of a number of 

 woody nutlike particles closely fitting into each other, but easily 

 separable. 



E-ead, fourthly, the following " Note on Eope made of Tree- 

 mallow Fibre ;" by John Hogg, Esq., M.A., F.E.S., P.L.S. 



" About a year ago I read a short paper on the Tree-Mallow 

 {Lavatera arborea, Linn.) to the Society (see ' Proceedings,' vol, 

 V. p. 51), in which I made some remarks on this noble British 

 plant ; and I also showed some of the woody stem and bark of a 

 specimen of two years' growth. I mentioned at the same time 

 that its inner hark was extremely ^5rot<«, though coarse, and that 

 it was evidently well-adapted for being formed into strong ropes, 

 matting, and the like purposes. 



" I have now the pleasure to exhibit a piece of rope, which is 

 made of tlie fibre from the bark of this plant. It is strong, but 

 coarse in texture, and is well-suited to many ordinary uses. 



" The rope-maker who prepared it, said he did not think that it 

 was capable of forming the finer cordage, or of receiving a bright 

 polish, like hemp-fibre ; but he considered that, as it seemed to 

 become stronger and tougher by immersion in water, it woidd very 

 probably be of much use for water or ship purposes. 



" I am, however, inclined to think that, since this specimen of 

 rope was manufactured from the fibres of a plant only one year 

 old, the fibrous bark might be finer and of a better quality if 

 taken from a two-years' old, or more mature plant. 



" The rope-maker further told me that, as the bark gave out a 

 great deal of mucUage, he was of opinion that it might prove ser- 

 viceable in the fabric of common paper." 



Eead, fifthly, " ISTote on an Egg within an Egg ;" by the same. 



Mr. Hogg exhibited an egg containing within it a second ^gg, 

 aud stated that " whilst eating a common hen's egg in January 

 1858, he found ivithin it what seemed to be a second, perfectly 

 formed, but much smaller egg ; the external covering being white 

 and, of course, soft. Its length or longer diameter was about -^ 

 of an inch, and its breadth or shorter diameter about ^. It 

 appeared to have within it a vitellus or globular yelk." 



